Regional Committee and Staff

Section navigation

In this section

Regional Committee and Staff

The Asia Pacific Regional (APR) Committee comprising of six members are elected at the APR Conference held once in three years.

The main purpose of the Regional Committee is:

To set the strategic direction of the Region in line with WAGGGS vision and mission

To represent the interests of WAGGGS in the Region

To ensure the values and ways of work of WAGGGS are respected and implemented in the Region

To be the voice of the Region to ensure WAGGGS global strategies and initiatives meet the needs of the Region

To provide support to Member Organizations in the development of quality Girl Guiding/ Girl Scouting and implementation of the Regional/WAGGGS plans

Marybelle Mariñas (Philippines)

Chair

Marybelle is a lawyer and professor by profession; a Girl Scout by passion and advocacy.

As a long-time volunteer in the Philippines she says being an AP Committee member has honed her skills to assume ‘the greatest challenge of my Girl Scouting life: Chair of the Asia Pacific Region’. by profession; a Girl Scout by passion and advocacy.

She is determined to do her best to support MOs, carry out the operational plans for the triennium, conduct partnership visits and implement Regional activities, while taking into consideration the unique culture and diversity of the AP Region.

Thanya Krichtitayawuth (Thailand)

Vice Chair

Thanya has enjoyed a wide and varied career at the Thailand Association of Girl Guides, where she’s been an International Commissioner and a trainer for the Free Being Me programme. Professionally, she has worked in both the public and private sector at a senior leadership level.

Dr Myoung-Ock Ahn, Korea

Dr Ahn is President and CEO of National Medical Centre of Korea, Professor of the Graduate School of Health and Welfare, CHA University, and a medical doctor who specialises in Obstetrics and Gynecology and preventive medicine.

Prior to this position, she was chairwoman of the advisory committee to the speaker of the Korean National Assembly, Future Vision committee for Women and Children of Korea, as well as chairwoman of the board of directors for the Women’s Human Rights Commission of Korea.

She was also a Member of the National Assembly, where she was recognised as the best parliamentarian to propose and pass the most bills in the history of Korean National Assembly.

As a committee member of Asian Pacific Region of WAGGGS, she is eager ensure the quality of life and happiness for girls and young women, especially in the field of girls’ health.

Meghana Belavadi (India)

Meghana is Chairperson of the National Youth Committee as well as the State Youth Committee of Bharat Scouts and Guides. She wants to ensure the Girl Guiding platform is accessible to girls across Asia Pacific. She says her seven-year journey has shaped her personality and added to her outlook and would like every girl to be able to access this transformational journey.

As a member of the Asia Pacific Regional Committee, she aspires to strengthen the foundation laid by her predecessors and develop innovative and inclusive methods to reach young girls.

Currently a student of International Business, she holds a PG Diploma in Public Relations. Meghana is a formidable Radio Jockey at All India Radio and also takes an interest in delivering motivational speeches to young people.

Winnie She Tsui Sui Lan, Hong Kong

Winnie is a member of the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association. She was previously a member of staff and volunteer trainer.

Winnie enjoys helping girls develop life skills and is keen to use her experience to empower girls and young women.

As a Regional Committee member, she is keen to learn more about the diverse culture of the countries and provide better Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting development and support to MOs in the Asia Pacific Region.

Dr Minori Yuda (Japan)

Minori is a professional geographer and Geographic Information System (GIS) specialist. She’s also an associate professor at Fukuoka Women's University in Japan, where she teaches Regional Geography.

As a Regional Committee member for the Asia Pacific Region, Minori will focus on educational programmes and conferences, as well as revitalising the organisation. Going forward, Minori wants to help the educational programme and leaders’ training by using her knowledge, skills and experiences as a chair for the conferences, a facilitator for workshops, the National Board member and the International Commissioner of Girl Scouts of Japan.